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Common Name: Sea Grape

General Information

Ephedra distachya is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 1.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

S. Europe to N. Asia.

Habitat

Semi-desert and desert regions and on gritty slopes on the Russian steppes[]. Grasslands, sandy places and rocky mountain slopes below 900 metres in China[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a well-drained loamy soil and a sunny position[]. Established plants are drought resistant and are also lime tolerant[].
Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[].
This species does not flower or fruit well in Britain[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, , ]. A sweet but rather insipid flavour[]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

Members of this genus contain various medicinally active alkaloids (but notably ephedrine) and they are widely used in preparations for the treatment of asthma and catarrh[]. The whole plant can be used at much lower concentrations than the isolated constituents - unlike using the isolated ephedrine, using the whole plant rarely gives rise to side-effects[]. The plant also has antiviral effects, particularly against influenza[].
The stems are a pungent, bitter, warm herb that dilates the bronchial vessels whilst stimulating the heart and central nervous system[]. The stems are also antitussive, diuretic, diaphoretic, febrifuge, hypertensive, nervine, tonic and vasoconstrictor[, , , ]. They are used internally in the treatment of asthma, hay fever and allergic complaints[]. They are also combined with a number of other herbs and used in treating a wide range of complaints238]. This herb should be used with great caution, preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[]. It should not be prescribed to patients who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or suffering from high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism or glaucoma[]. Ephedrine is seen as a performance-boosting herb and, as such, is a forbidden substance in many sporting events such as athletics[].
The stems can be harvested at any time of the year and are dried for later use[].

Other Uses

Plants can be used for ground cover, spaced about 60cm apart each way[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[]. It can also be sown in spring in a greenhouse in a sandy compost[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in the spring or early summer after the last expected frosts and give some protection in their first winter[].
Division in spring or autumn[].
Layering.